Pakistan Urges Tech Platforms to Block Social Media Accounts Linked to Terrorist Groups

The Pakistani government has identified at least 481 social media accounts connected to banned terrorist organizations and is urging global tech companies to help in blocking these networks.

This announcement was made during a joint press conference in Islamabad on Friday by Ministers of State Talal Chaudhry and Barrister Aqeel Malik.

According to Minister Talal Chaudhry, these accounts are being run using anonymous identities and unverified credentials. He emphasized that all identified accounts are associated with terrorist groups, though their precise origins remain unknown to Pakistani authorities.

The government is requesting data from platform administrators to assist in eliminating these online infrastructures, stating that Pakistan remains a key defense against global terrorism.

Chaudhry added that numerous organizations, already sanctioned by the UN, US, UK, and Pakistan, are actively utilizing these platforms. He referenced the National Action Plan, highlighting its focus on taking action against entities disseminating terrorist material via media and social networks.

He pointed out that extremist terrorist factions exploit the guise of free expression to operate online, advocating for the complete removal of their accounts.

He presented three specific requests to social media platforms:

  • To immediately block and remove the identified accounts.
  • To introduce AI-driven solutions to prevent the swift creation of duplicate accounts.
  • To share details about the account holders, as these individuals are complicit in terrorist activities.

He appealed for full cooperation from all social media companies in these efforts.

Barrister Aqeel Malik highlighted that many of the implicated groups are not only banned in Pakistan but are also recognized as terrorist organizations by the United Nations. He warned that these groups represent a threat to both Pakistan and international security.

Malik emphasized the significant impact of terrorism on Pakistan, citing substantial losses of life as well as major economic and social repercussions. He noted that the nation has been a major participant in the global fight against terrorism for over twenty years, suffering more than 90,000 casualties.

He said that this persistent menace has spread across different platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram. He stressed the importance of naming these platforms because of their vital position in terrorist communications and propaganda.

He said that Pakistan welcomes social media companies establishing local offices to enhance coordination and enforcement.

The ministers mentioned that terrorist organizations are increasingly using encrypted messaging apps for communication and recruitment. They urged technology companies to implement strong mechanisms for detecting, disabling, and reporting such accounts in accordance with international counterterrorism strategies.

Malik stated that Pakistan is monitoring additional accounts linked to terrorist networks, underscoring the need for platforms to aid by blocking and reporting all similar activities.